[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6573971,"mediaKeyId","3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116","parentId",3139498,"title","Geary County opens bids for light-rescue combi tool; low bid $9,700","audioSeconds",249,"startMs",6420000,"endMs",6669000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116&start=6420&end=6669","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116/thumbnail_6420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6573971/Geary-County/Kansas/Geary-County-opens-bids-for-light-rescue-combi-tool-low-bid-9700","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573971-ac612df619be6b3cb02ab6333b725647/orig.mp4?Expires=1775724534&Signature=kBj43Mj6LQEU75DnHZ25lvPL0bhQIZfvSqv21x8FzladSAjPQC6esNd856-nTYeI8BsBTeBsXvwvvEjtad1tYxyPyvcB1wuw1ptuFtXJi6-CN3ccYP3SSWESZ0~xtUjv-eSJ~sVnuQyFMhh6lwK-raF8ACU5tgGCLr6lii0y73d15QYJ-rarRdSVHIlpmFGrQDUeZod8DxLrwAJuOnZzRpsA9HQnTPEOTF6uAen6lmcv7~AAy9DKDq8ldjM54brJOVcUnoqCiSannL5aQPTLAaNgUxnQMFQ-GW7DtQvkyo~Qi0vfrzqX4BGfZcNiFhmahJ0Uj5Y6MQ-8-jzRTIi3ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Geary County, KS","date","2025-04-28T17:24:32.78Z","article","Geary County Emergency Management Director Gary Burgess opened bids for a light-rescue “combi” tool and reported three responsive bids.

Burgess said four vendors were solicited and three responded by the Friday deadline. The bids received were:

- Rescue Specialist (Salina): $9,700, with an estimated one-week delivery time after order.
- Wirespire (Salina): $16,583, with an estimated 2–3 week delivery time.
- Emergency Fire Equipment (two separate bid items from the same vendor): $17,250 and $15,009.76, both with an estimated 75-day delivery timeframe.

Burgess said he will review the submissions and return to the commission the following week with a recommendation. He also said the county has requested that remaining funds from an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) be applied to the purchase; if approved, the county would cover a small portion of the purchase price.

Why it matters: rescue-combi equipment is used by fire and rescue crews for vehicle extrications and other rescue tasks. The low bid substantially undercuts other offers; the procurement and any grant award will determine which unit is purchased and the county cost share.

What happens next: Burgess will evaluate product specs and lead times, check the AFG grant status and return with a recommendation for award at the next regular meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Geary County Commission 04/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","Emergency management opened bids for a light-rescue 'combi' tool; three bids were received, ranging from $9,700 to $17,250, with the low bid from Rescue Specialist (Salina); director will return next week with a recommendation and possible AFG grant application to cover most cost.","taxTitle","Geary County, Kansas","taxId",63542,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6573975,"Hospital renovation progresses; bond-covered repairs continue and hospital reports nearly $975,000 net receipts",432,3660000,4092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116&start=3660&end=4092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116/thumbnail_3660000.jpg","/articles/6573975/Geary-County/Kansas/Hospital-renovation-progresses-bond-covered-repairs-continue-and-hospital-reports-nearly-975000-net-receipts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573975-ba021367a1f27601bf2be52b06abc469/orig.mp4?Expires=1775724534&Signature=nEe7w9qUvCbLkOzMJTCyrZDuGtTx4Q3hSn-5M2HB-4YVISSC6I6yfhvBUe5~IEpnCZFTT4LVHHZY0UYNGCUUEsQu3pQ53-7LBrzdAYVTDrQ2wAaZil3zUED2Mkvvl-mDkYCYWwpZ2GKN4cuZsUQQWkoeBZQP~sW7B~b0UY3PbSygXjGfZgFfBBhCWtIf2qlrY-vrc6liWKXZD46jzfCOa71w-iyWPB8M7mxhasJ0CV~AUq639~s8dBfXW1OUvN~AbX-RIJatN3ojBsqAOHQ6xVF4325oAMFdOX6IzIE-j10Uc51dQmN1SlOM5-Uzd8w~IW37XCD5HUuX0-~cW7jRYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Building Commission provided an update on ongoing repairs and infrastructure work at the county hospital, reporting progress on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, electrical infrastructure, water valves and boilers.

Commission staff recapped highlights from a recent meeting with hospital project manager Jeff Klein. Work is proceeding floor by floor on Building MAB: the first floor has new HVAC, the second floor should be done and work has moved toward the third. Project staff have removed an old 1971 cast-iron boiler and installed new condenser boilers; currently two boilers run at a time and the replacement system is set up for computerized monitoring.

Contractors have addressed electrical chases that required converting rooms to create vertical electrical runs; the project will require staged shutdowns, including an electricity shutdown to swap panels and run generators, and planned water shutdowns while new valves are installed. Project staff said many of the older water lines were heavily corroded and are being replaced. Project leaders aim to finish repairs later this summer, though demolition and retrofit work remain.

Financially, commission staff reported that since project start the hospital has realized a net positive of about $975,000 over expenses to date; those receipts are expected to help with bond paydown when prepayment is permitted. The presenters said much of the remaining renovation work remains covered under the bond until the county reaches the bond expenditure threshold.

Why it matters: the renovation addresses long-standing mechanical, electrical and water-system deficiencies that affect patient safety and building function; the work has major budget and bond-management implications.

What happens next: the PBC will continue staged mechanical and electrical work, coordinate shutdowns with operations, and reconcile accounts payable/receivable items discussed in the update. Commission staff said they will work with hospital and accounting staff to resolve outstanding collections and assignment of responsibility for certain payments.","Public building commission update: boilers, electrical and water-line work continue at the hospital; administrators reported $975,000 more taken in than expended since project start and said much of the construction is still covered by bond funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6573979,"Sheriff reports higher jail population, quarterly metrics and upcoming contract decisions",381,2429000,2810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116&start=2429&end=2810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116/thumbnail_2429000.jpg","/articles/6573979/Geary-County/Kansas/Sheriff-reports-higher-jail-population-quarterly-metrics-and-upcoming-contract-decisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573979-4846abb1b92dfed4eb8da0fb383872bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775724534&Signature=VFHPkvhmy7fkW1GPB~AO47tsQJy8iNb3JlCH5FlqJ4yMi9fOqxWcPZ-fAbAL6CPPaw4-WPaOPQ8ISezw6nr1WBKsTWQ786IHF2Qj0K5S308F-wGCRBJJSfbf3Lc1G3Oh8v36OLo0WIwSG9j73S2DbGAABcoaqueX~DQbTIRVD37X52we8aSVXNk~pJnpAtOaskwJGHpFrlblqhoarDQdDXoFS0TB5ATUyKTcssVmXIejuAGiFBNH2QVKaxytlfInxxxpdKVPxjgA8YwsmnAZ-KtVpghUJdvZhjBEC~kDBDo9X96lDdP2zmZ1LcKx9jQhhV-BkPTetACRznV3FQiM6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff Nate Beckman reported to the Geary County Commission that the average jail population over the past two weeks was 91 and provided a biweekly incidents summary and a first-quarter 2025 report for the county.

Beckman said prisoner transports numbered eight, there were seven accidents and 214 traffic stops over the two-week period; citations issued numbered 75 and the department made 30 arrests in that period. He said the quarterly report will be posted to the sheriff's Facebook page for public review and invited follow-up questions.

Beckman described operational changes aimed at increasing rural presence: deputies are assigned to patrol zones and are now mandated to spend four hours of a 12-hour shift patrolling rural county areas when not responding to calls. He said the policy is intended to increase visibility and service to farmers and other rural residents.

Beckman also told commissioners the county has three openings for deputy positions and three openings for correctional officers; he said he expects to fill the positions within the next month. He told the commission he will bring three proposals for medical services and the jail contracts to the commission for review, plus a resolution on the daily charge rate. He said he plans to present pros and cons for several medical proposals and the jail contract options at the next meeting.

Beckman said an operational study of the jail is underway; interviews for that study will start the following week and the consultant team will meet with county staff to gather information.

Why it matters: jail population levels, staffing and contract decisions affect public safety, budgets and county liability. The sheriff signaled the county will face several contract decisions in coming weeks and an operational study that could recommend changes.

What happens next: the sheriff will deliver a recommendation on jail medical proposals and jail contracts at an upcoming meeting and expects the operational study interviews to inform future policy choices.","Sheriff's office reported a two-week average jail population of 91, described staffing and zone patrol changes, and alerted commissioners to upcoming contract and medical-procurement decisions and an operational jail study.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6573984,"County department head asks commission to endorse attendance in KU's Certified Public Manager program",268,532000,800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116&start=532&end=800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116/thumbnail_532000.jpg","/articles/6573984/Geary-County/Kansas/County-department-head-asks-commission-to-endorse-attendance-in-KUs-Certified-Public-Manager-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573984-39fe99a0d4373327ede1f8eeaacf7f48/orig.mp4?Expires=1775724534&Signature=cbDMF28kygrbcqE9XZFmZJj5Wo-UFcjP4ZOoZfk2skql973VtCW1DKjMtRWHK1e3YqI76M4jxg-pPN392YuazvXJJwysoA6USSbQpM4g8yW9JShNfLCLXz6XGZboZtKoSfAMsH5fBxbwuEY99IcXYWaJw7KiECQHo3w0Q5cQRYkVih5eaFtrnVvIbD0Hix5bomHAzQGxWDGbyD4pDIKrjUrWEcO0xuFNKzBvTzdgS~hY1fCUDmAj7829i0uQIeqpvI0bkFPBJSm-BCNEXHo~FiDzxZW7j4i-NuK6C86ZKs~yRraEg4H6gaUH~ziJ3nm8ROK7dwvYUSq1wxmVkM3Ygg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tammy Robinson, identified in the meeting as a department head, asked the Geary County Commission for a letter of support to attend the University of Kansas Certified Public Manager (CPM) program. Robinson said the program is an 11-month, competency-based management certificate that requires two on-site days per month and that the early-bird registration deadline is April 30.

Robinson told commissioners the program is “under the $5,000 limit that we have that a department head can actually approve themselves,” but she requested formal support rather than approving it unilaterally: “I feel like it is justifiable to come to you for support of this program and not me just assume that you support it.” She said the training could benefit other county staff and proposed nominating additional employees for future sessions.

A commissioner volunteered to write a letter of recommendation. Robinson said two other county employees — Jeremy and Charles — and possibly another staff member were candidates who could benefit from the program, and that the program is offered on two schedules (July–May or January–November). She told commissioners she would submit the application if the commission provided a supporting letter.

Why it matters: the CPM is a nationally accredited program aimed at strengthening public management skills. Robinson framed her request as a staff-development investment the county already has budget authority to approve at the department-head level but felt was appropriate to bring before the commission for formal endorsement.

What happens next: a commissioner agreed to provide the letter of support; Robinson will follow up with staff to finalize registration and distribute program materials to interested colleagues.","Tammy Robinson asked Geary County commissioners to support her attendance in an 11-month Certified Public Manager (CPM) program at the University of Kansas and requested a letter of support; commissioners agreed a letter could be provided.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6573989,"Geary County commissioners accept road-viewers' recommendation for 1.1-acre North British Drive segment",912,1372000,2284000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116&start=1372&end=2284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139498-dc834c98dfa0f3c83ccbed29bfb66116/thumbnail_1372000.jpg","/articles/6573989/Geary-County/Kansas/Geary-County-commissioners-accept-road-viewers-recommendation-for-11-acre-North-British-Drive-segment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573989-944407b05d4fb434e7e6d198f5b2ea4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775724534&Signature=aneaQM47JR03eiXbNnjIR0D5OKh2B1mcH5Ts5uDTnIeczlLEQkmB27Y1z0iPQJ3VWKJ0GqbKKUrG1NzOELXbBYZswp~8SoPHwZztJ4tb2n~iosyL3X8q3~JTiH~XZGraLAeq561HY6HbOYxBA1hqplqei~IRJna39OInJUaNhq6h7QvPVF02btmzzs1jup9nXC9nw7EaLXT94qPovVMJ2c5jXzjrm0VdF70ZGFpzOrEkkaL0N3PCxtuQ8TVYqjNIqaMfcltbsPsuX0JRMkj7-nyycA3h0tK~ZjOPRNn6IMiW1vGNQoD0nYAJ29LRQ-UahOWhDpspN3cAWDlaKEDAOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Geary County commissioners on May 6 accepted a recommendation from appointed road viewers to retain the existing 1.1-acre segment of roadway (described during the meeting as part of North British Drive/Hillside Drive) as built with a rock surface and to require any future development to meet county road and planning standards.

The decision followed a public hearing and a presentation from the three-person road-viewing panel — Maureen Gustafson, Laura Strauss and Gary Younghands — who reported that the road is already in place but was not constructed to current county standards. “The road's already there, so we would recommend that it just stays as it approved with the rock,” Gustafson said, adding that any extension or future development would require full planning review and construction to county standards, including paving if required by the county’s rules.

The recommendation emerged after residents and nearby property owners raised concerns about notification and proximity of the drive to existing homes. Theresa Pepper, a nearby resident, told commissioners the project “wasn't handled properly” and urged clearer notice processes. County staff said statutorily required notices were served to properties identified by the county; some residents said they received notice only recently.

Commission members also discussed emergency-service access and the need for two entrances if the area is developed in the future. The panel and commissioners noted that the road was conveyed to the county presumably for future access and that changing the status now could landlock property or create other long-term issues.

After discussion, a motion was made to accept the road-viewers' recommendation. The motion passed with the commissioners responding “Aye” (motion carried). The clerk noted a certificate of viewing and related paperwork that will be filed along with the order laying out the road.

A separate but related public request came from Stacy Becker and Jeff Becker (owners at 2603 Meadowlark Drive), who asked the commission to consider vacating and selling a strip of county-owned land behind their property. Commissioners said they would place the Becker request on a future agenda, invite Kaw Valley (county planning/engineering), surveyor Alan Zumbrin and other stakeholders, and seek more information before taking action.

Why it matters: the decision preserves the roadway as a county-maintained route in its current gravel condition while preserving the county’s ability to require planning and paving standards for any future development. Residents affected by the road’s placement urged better notice and review.

What happens next: paperwork from the road viewers will be filed and the county will schedule follow-up staff work and a future agenda item for the Becker family’s request, inviting planning and engineering staff and the county surveyor for further discussion.","After a public hearing, Geary County commissioners accepted a road-viewers' recommendation to leave the existing 1.1-acre gravel road in place and require any future development to meet county road standards, following concerns from nearby property owners about notification and proximity to houses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Geary County opens bids for light-rescue combi tool; low bid $9,700

Hospital renovation progresses; bond-covered repairs continue and hospital reports nearly $975,000 net receipts

Sheriff reports higher jail population, quarterly metrics and upcoming contract decisions

County department head asks commission to endorse attendance in KU's Certified Public Manager program

Geary County commissioners accept road-viewers' recommendation for 1.1-acre North British Drive segment